Mr. Chan Kam To, the Troupe Leader of the Only Remaining Hand Puppet Cantonese Opera Troupe in Hong Kong, Dies at 77

2026-02-02 14:44 Last Updated At：16:21

Mr. Chan Kam To, an inheritor of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage - hand puppet Cantonese opera and the troupe leader of the "Waa Saan Traditional Puppet Cantonese Opera Troupe", passed away on the afternoon of January 31st at the age of 77. He dedicated over 60 years to promoting the inheritance of hand puppet Cantonese opera, making his passing a great loss to the local opera circles.

In his early years, Mr. Chan once gave up a public servant position to devote himself to puppetry performances. Mastering puppet manipulation, singing, instrumental playing, scriptwriting, and composition, he gathered like-minded enthusiasts who were also passionate about puppet Cantonese opera to establish the "Waa Saan Traditional Puppet Cantonese Opera Troupe", the only remaining hand puppet Cantonese opera troupe in Hong Kong, presenting numerous captivating performances to audiences over the years.

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Mr. Chan Kam To, Photo source: Shot and shared by Mr. Choi Kai Kwong, a researcher of bamboo theatre culture in Hong Kong

Mr. Chan Kam To in his youth, Photo source: Screenshot of the cover of the book ℎ ℎ , released by Lei Yue Mun Plus

The cover of the book edited and authored by Mr. Chan Kam To

Mr. Chan Kam To introduced the culture of hand puppet Cantonese opera at a public lecture. Photo source: Shot and shared by Mr. Choi Kai Kwong, a researcher of bamboo theatre culture in Hong Kong

Mr. Chan Kam To (fifth from the left, front row) and the troupe members, Photo by Bastille Post

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Mr. Chan Kam To, Photo source: Shot and shared by Mr. Choi Kai Kwong, a researcher of bamboo theatre culture in Hong Kong

Mr. Chan Kam To in his youth, Photo source: Screenshot of the cover of the book ℎ ℎ , released by Lei Yue Mun Plus

The cover of the book edited and authored by Mr. Chan Kam To

Mr. Chan Kam To introduced the culture of hand puppet Cantonese opera at a public lecture. Photo source: Shot and shared by Mr. Choi Kai Kwong, a researcher of bamboo theatre culture in Hong Kong

Mr. Chan Kam To (fifth from the left, front row) and the troupe members, Photo by Bastille Post

With the rapid social development and changing entertainment trends, the market of hand puppet Cantonese opera has shrunk, decreasing performance opportunities for the troupe. Nevertheless, the troupe members would still cherish each performance, dedicating themselves to providing a high-quality watching experience to the audience and upholding the inheritance of traditional culture. Up to now, most members of the troupe are over 70 years old, posing great challenges to the troupe's future development and the continuation of puppet Cantonese opera.

Edited and authored the book Guangdong Handheld Puppet Opera - An Abandoned Heritage of the Cantonese Artistic Family, Mr. Chan aimed to record this traditional art form, which is now on the verge of extinction. In the interview with Bastille Post at the Kam Tin Ten-Yearly Thanksgiving Festival in December last year, he said that he hoped "he could do his best to pass on this traditional art." As for his passing, it highlights the dilemma of inheriting the traditional culture in Hong Kong nowadays: "The art will exist while the artist is still alive, but it will extinct when the artist dies."

As for the details of the interview with Mr. Chan Kam To, please refer to the link: https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5472973-bastilles-in-depth-report-sticking-to-the-dream-of-inheriting-traditional-hand-puppet-cantonese-opera-culture-in-modern-times

The Once-a-Decade Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival in Kam Tin Draws Large Crowds Praising the Charm of Folk Customs

As the Kam Tin Ten-Yearly Thanksgiving Festival just concluded successfully at the end of last year, the "Kam Tin Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival" followed from January 17th to 23rd, held at the Chou Wong Yi Kung Study Hall in the Shui Tau Village of Yuen Long. The celebration carnival features Cantonese Opera for Deities, lion dance competitions, and a large-scale food stall market, attracting a large number of citizens and tourists to participate and experience this once-a-decade cultural event.

Based on three core themes: "offer opera performances to deities to thank for their blessing", "food carnival," and "lion dance competition", the celebration event features the seven-day performance of the Hung Wan Cantonese Opera Troupe, which is specially invited by the Kam Tin Rural Committee, in the bamboo opera theatre converted from the bamboo altar that has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest temporary bamboo altar. Renowned Cantonese opera performers such as Leung Siu-ming, Loong Koon-tin, Hong Wah, and Wang Kit-ching, etc. would take turns presenting classic plays, including The Legend of the Purple Hairpin and Between Tears and Smiles, etc.

At the site of the event, numerous food stalls featured different regional specialties—from local snacks such as Siu Mai, fish balls, imitation shark fin soup, and Hong Kong-style milk tea, to freshly grilled barbecues like honey-glazed chicken wings and roasted squid. Distinctive kinds of delicacies have been offered with irresistible aroma, making people's mouths water.

On the opening day of the carnival event, top dragon and lion dance teams from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao competed on the same stage, showcasing each's high-level lion dance skills amidst the beating of gongs and drums. A featured experience area was also set up on site, allowing the public to personally experience the fun of lion dancing and drumming.

The local residents have enjoyed delicious local snacks and the bustling atmosphere of the grand carnival

Ms. Leung, participating in such a grand folk celebration for the first time, said she was deeply impressed by the grandeur of the giant bamboo theatre. "5 to 6,000 people can sit in this bamboo theatre at the same time, which is really great." Moreover, she said the food stall market was quite attractive, revealing a unique small-town charm. In her eyes, the carnival event not only has convenient transportation based on its easy access to the MTR, but also is filled with an atmosphere of joy everywhere, making people can't help but immerse themselves in it and enjoy the vigorous vitality of traditional folk customs.

Mr. Sou brought his wife and young daughter to participate, saying that the whole family has enjoyed food and cultural fun on the site. The featured experience area of lion dance has allowed his daughter to "learn while playing", which helps to deepen her understanding of traditional culture and promote the inheritance of traditional Chinese culture to the young generation like her. "There are some lion dance props and drums for children to try and play, letting the traditional culture of China and Hong Kong be better promoted and passed on." Mr. Sou said.

The food stall owner has launched local specialty drinks, attracting a considerable flow of customers and generating substantial business

Mr. Ho, a food stall owner, launched his "Ethereal Blue-and-White Porcelain Specialty Drinks", which has achieved booming business based on the elegant bottle packaging as well as the refreshing and unique flavor.

Mr. Ho stated that it's his first time participating in the once-a-decade Kam Tin Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival. Thanks to the festival's grand scale, it has attracted a large number of residents and tourists, bringing great popularity to his stall. "Business has been quite good during this period," he said. Moreover, he also mentioned that since the next celebration carnival would be held after 10 years, many citizens and tourists decided to take advantage of the rare opportunity this year to participate, which has made the site of the carnival consistently keep bustling with people.

The foreign tourist has praised the charm of Hong Kong's traditional culture and been immersed in authentic folk customs

Eduardo, a tourist from Brazil, expressed his deep interest in the giant bamboo theatre and Cantonese opera performances of the carnival based on his background in dance, considering the event as a precious opportunity to experience the charm of Hong Kong's local theatrical culture. He was also impressed by the authentic flavors of Hong Kong's traditional snacks at the numerous food stalls. He hopes more foreign tourists could come to experience Hong Kong's folk customs in person as he does, which would be a valuable cultural immersion.

Mr. Chan Kam To, the Troupe Leader of the Only Remaining Hand Puppet Cantonese Opera Troupe in Hong Kong, Dies at 77

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